Construction of links for ammunition-belts for machine-guns



W. DE 0. PRIDEAUX. CONSTRUCTION OF LINKS FOR AMMUNITION BELTS FOR MACHINE G UNS.

APPLICATION FILED an. a. ma.

1,343,060, Patented June 8, I920.

Hg J.

fi- .--a II 6 i----- lflz-bckss aw; z/cgz Z'u-r' Z: [1mm c2 2 CJPraYo aux CSV. W

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM B! COUBC'Y PBIDEAUX, OF WEYMOUTH, ENGLAND.

CONSTRUCTION OF LINKS FOB AMMUNITION-BELTS FOB MACHINE-GUNS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1920.

Application filed larch 8, 1918. tcrial'no. 221,323.

' tion.

This invention relates to that class of belt for machine guns and the like in which each link is formed from a base or bridge piece having on one side two clips and on the opposite side one clip which is positioned between the two clips of the next link, the cartridge passing within the three clips to act as a pintle and hold the .two links to ether, so that each link can be disassembled from its neighboring link after the cartrid c has been removed, the disassembled link alling or being ejected away clear of the gun.

Heretofore in construction of devices of this class the base or bridge piece of one link has a holed rojecting arm passing under the center clip of the next link and engaging by its hole a pin or tooth on the base or bridge piece of the next link so as to obtain a firm union so long as the belt is stretched andinfi exible and each link remaining united until they are free of the guide when they become disconnected owing to the shaking of the belt due to firing. In this previously well known construction the 1inskor. teeth ride on the track in the feed When employin 'a belt of the class where in the ins or teet ride on the track in the feed b ock, it has been found that owing to the weight of the bullets such belts will not rideperfectly straight through the feed block the noses of the bullets riding on a ledge of the feed block and creating friction whereas such cartridges should be perfectly level and free from any frictional contact with the feed block.

According to m vantage is obviate by roviding or forming the central clip wit one or more enlargements, projections, corrugations or other devices whereby the outer diameter of the clip, in whole or in part is enlarged so that as the link rides, over the pro ecting guide or track on the inside bottom of the invention this disadfeed block) the central clip riding on the ide, the ullet ends of the cartridges will e lifted clear-of the walls of the feed block and ride free without any contact with the feed block whatever.

My invention will be clearly understood from the annexed drawings in which- Figure 1 is a plan of a blank. Fig. 2 a perspective view of the link,

Fig. 3 a back view thereof with a cartridge in dotted lines in engagement therewith. As before stated the link is constructed from three clips A, B, C connected by a bridge piece D, two clips A, B on one side being at a distance apart while one clip C on the other side of the bridge piece .D is positioned centrally so as to occupy a position between the two clips A, B of a neighboring link whereby the cartridge G, which will act as a pintle, can be passed through the three clips A, B, C which are in line.

My present invention consists in provid ing or forming the central clips C with one or more enlargements projections or ourrugations E, E (in the drawings I have showntwo) or other devie: wherebv the outer diameter of the clip in whole or in part is enlarged for the purpose described.

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In ammunition belts adapted to pass through the feed block of a machine gun, a link formed from a fiat blank of sheet metal and comprising a bridge-piece connecting two clips. at opposite ends thereof, said clips being bent into circular form and spaced apart, a single circularly bent clip at the center of the said bridge-piece at a point between the first-mentioned clips, the said single clip having enlargements extending therefrom for lifting the bullet end of the connecting cartridge clear of the walls of the feed block.

2. In ammunition belts for machine guns having a projecting guide in a feed block, a link formed from a fiat sheet of metal and comprising a bridge-piece connecting two clips at opposite ends thereof. said clips being bent into circular form and spaced apart, a single circularly bent clip at the center of the said bridge-plece adapted to be inserted ments extendin therefrom for engaging between the two clips 01 the next suoeeed- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set ing link for engaging the oonnectigfi carmy hand 1n presence of two subscribing wittndge, the said single clip having arfien.

WILLIAM DB COURGY PRIDEAUX. projecting gui e and thereby maintaining Witnesses: the bullet end of the connecting cartridge Brennan Conn GARDNER, clear of the walls of the feed block. Gnossm'x'm. 

